HYMNS  IN  PROSE 


FOR  I  ^ 


THE  USE  OF  CHILDREN. 


BY  A.  L.  BARBAULD, 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PRINTED  Bt  WILLIAM  FRY,  WALNUT  NEAR  FIFTH  STREET. 
1818. 


PREFACE. 

THE  peculiar  design  of  this  publication  is,  to  impress 
devotional  feelings  as  early  as  possible  on  the  infant 
mind;  fully  convinced,  as  the  author  is,  that  they  can- 
not be  impressed  too  soon;  and  that  a  child,  to  feel  the 
full  force  of  the  idea  of  God,  ought  never  to  remember 
the  time  when  he  had  no  such  idea; — to  impress  them 
by  connecting  religion  with  a  variety  of  sensible  objects; 
with  all  that  he  sees,  all  he  hears,  all  that  affects  his 
young  mind  with  wonder  or  delight;  and  thus,  by  deep, 
strong,  and  permanent  associations,  to  lay  the  best  foun- 
dation for  practical  devotion  in  future  life:  for  he  who 
has  been  early  accustomed  to  see  the  Creator  in  the 
visible  appearances  of  all  around  him,  to  feel  his  con- 
tinual presence,  and  to  lean  upon  his  daily  protection, 
has  made  large  advances  towards  that  habitual  piety, 
without  which  religion  is  but  a  name. 

A.  L.  B. 


HYMNS 


FOR 


THE  USE  OF  CHILDREN 


HYMN  I. 

COME,  let  us  praise  God,  for  he  is  exceedingly 
great;  let  us  bless  God,  for  he  is  very  good. 

He  made  all  things;  the  sun  to  rule  the  day,  the 
moon  to  shine  by  night. 

He  made  the  great  whale,  and  the  elephant;  and 
the  little  worm  that  crawleth  upon  the  ground. 

The  little  birds  sing  praises  to  God,  when  they 
warble  sweetly  in  the  green  shade. 

The  brooks   and  rivers  praise  God,  when  they 
murmur  melodiously  amongst  the  smooth  pebbles. 

I  will  praise  God  with  my  voice;  for  I  may  praise 
him,  though  I  am  but  a  little  child. 

A  few  years  ago,  and  I  was  but  a  little  infant, 
and  my  tongue  was  dumb  within  my  mouth. 

A2 


And  I  did  not  know  the  great  name  of  God,  for 
my  reason  was  not  come  unto  me. 

But  now,  I  can  speak,  and  my  tongue  shall  praise 
him:  I  can  think  of  all  his  kindness,  and  my  heart 
shall  love  him. 

Let  him  call  me,  and  I  will  come  unto  him;  let 
him  command,  and  I  will  obey  him. 

-When  I  am  older,  I  will  praise  him  better;  and  I 
will  never  forget  God,  so  long  as  my  life  remaineth 
in  me. 


HYMN  II. 

Come,  let  us  go  forth  into  the  fields,  let  us  see 
how  the  flowers  spring,  let  us  listen  to  the  singing  of 
the  birds,  and  sport  ourselves  upon  the  new  grass. 

The  winter  is  over  and  gone,  the  buds  come  out 
upon  the  trees,  the  crimson  blossoms  of  the  peach 
and  the  nectarine  are  seen;  and  the  green  leaves 
sprout. 

The  hedges  are  bordered  with  tufts  of  primroses, 
and  yellow  cowslips  that  hang  down  their  heads;  and 
the  blue  violet  lies  hid  beneath  the  shade. 


The  young  goslings  are  running  upon  the  green, 
they  are  jus1:  hatched,  their  bodies  are  covered  with 
yellow  downj  the  old  ones  hiss  with  anger  if  any  one 
comes  near. 

The  hen  sits  upon  her  nest  of  straw;  she  watches 
patiently  the  full  time,  till  the  young  chickens  get 
strength  to  break  the  shell  with  their  bills,  and  come 
out. 

The  lambs  sport  in  the  field,  they  totter  by  the 
side  of  their  dams,  their  young  limbs  at  first  can 
hardly  support  their  weight. 

If  you  fall,  little  lambs,  you  will  not  be  hurt;  there 
is  spread  under  you  a  carpet  of  soft  grass;  it  is  spread 
for  you  and  us. 

The  butterflies  flutter  from  bush  to  bush,  and  open 
their  wings  to  the  warm  sun. 

The  young  animals  of  every  kind  are  sporting 
about,  they  feel  themselves  happy,  they  are  glad  to 
be  alive;  they  thank  him  that  he  has  made  them 
alive. 

They  may  thank  him  in  their  hearts,  but  we  can 
thank  him  with  our  tongues;  our  gifts  are  greater 
than  theirs;  therefore,  we  ought  to  praise  him  more. 

The  birds  can  warble,  and  the  young  lambs  can 
bleat;  but  we  can  open  our  lips  in  his  praise,  we  can 
speak  of  all  his  goodness. 


6 

Therefore,  we  will  thank  him  for  ourselves,  and 
we  will  thank  him  for  those  that  cannot  speak. 

Trees  that  blossom,  and  little  lambs  that  skip 
about-,  if  you  could  you  would  say,  how  good  he  is; 
but  you  are  dumb,  we  will  say  it  for  you. 

We  will  not  offer  you  up  in  sacrifice,  but  we  will 
offer  sacrifice  for  you,  on  every  hill,  and  in  every 
green  field;  we  will  offer  the  sacrifice  of  thanks- 
giving, and  the  incense  of  praise. 


HYMN  III. 

Behold,  the  shepherd  of  the  flock,  he  taketh 
care  for  his  sheep,  he  leadeth  them  among  the  clear 
brooks,  he  guideth  them  to  fresh  pasture;  if  the 
young  lambs  are  weary,  he  carrieth  them  in  his 
arms;  if  they  wander,  he  bringeth  them  back. 

But  who  is  the  shepherd's  Shepherd?  Who  taketh 
care  for  him?  Who  guideth  him  in  the  path  he 
should  go?  And  if  he  wander,  who  shall  bring  him 
back? 

God  is  the  shepherd's  Shepherd:  he  is  the  Shep- 
herd over  all:  he  taketh  care  for  all;  the  whole  earth 
is  his  fold;  we  are  all  his  flock;  and  every  herb,  and 
every  green  field  is  the  pasture  which  he  hath  pre- 
pared for  us. 


9 

The  mother  loveth  her  little  child;  she  bringeth 
it  up  on  her  knees;  she  nourisheth  its  body  with 
food;  she  feedeth  its  mind  with  knowledge;  if  it  is 
sick,  she  nurseth  it  with  tender  love;  she  watcheth 
over  it  when  asleep;  she  forgetteth  it  not  for  a  mo- 
ment; she  teacheth  it  how  to  be  good;  she  rejoiceth 
daily  in  its  growth. 

But  who  is  the  parent  of  the  mother?  Who 
nourisheth  her  with  good  things,  and  watcheth  over 
her  with  tender  love,  and  remembereth  her  every 
moment?  Whose  arms  are  about  her  to  guard  her 
from  harm?  And  if  she  is  sick,  who  shall  heal  her? 

God  is  the  parent  of  the  mother;  he  is  the  parent 
of  all,  for  he  created  all.  All  the  men,  and  all  the 
women  who  are  alive  in  the  wide  world,  are  his 
children:  he  loveth  all,  he  is  good  to  all. 

The  king  governeth  his  people;  he  hath  a  golden 
crown  upon  his  head,  and  the  royal  sceptre  is  in  his 
hand;  he  sitteth  upon  a  throne,  and  sendeth  forth 
his  commands;  his  subjects  fear  before  him;  if  they 
do  well,  he  protecteth  them  from  danger;  and  if 
they  do  evil,  he  punisheth  them. 

But  who  is  the  sovereign  of  the  king?  Who 
commandeth  him  what  he  must  do?  Whose  hand  is 
stretched  out  to  protect  him  from  danger?  And  if 
he  do  evil,  who  shall  punish  him? 

God  is  the  sovereign  of  the  king;  his  crown  is  a 
crown  of  glory,  and  his  throne  is  in  heaven  above. 


10 

He  is  King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords;  if  he  bid  us 
live,  we  live;  if  he  bid  us  die,  we  die:  his  dominion 
is  over  all  worlds,  and  the  light  of  his  countenance 
is  upon  all  his  works. 

God  is  our  shepherd,  therefore,  we  will  follow 
him:  God  is  our  father,  therefore,  we  will  love  him: 
God  is  our  king,. therefore,  we  will  obey^im. 


HYMN  IV. 

Come,  and  I  will  show  you  what  is  beautiful.  It 
is  a  rose  fully  blown.  See  how  she  sits  upon  her 
mossy  stem,  like  the  queen  of  all  the  flowers!  Her 
leaves  glow  like  fire;  the  air  is  filled  with  her 
sweet  odour;  she  is  the  delight  of  every  eye. 

She  is  beautiful,  but  there  is  fairer  than  she.  He 
that  made  the  rose  is  more  beautiful  than  the  rose: 
he  is  all  lovely:  he  is  the  delight  of  every  heart. 

I  will  show  you  what  is  strong.  The  lion  is  strong; 
when  he  raiseth  up  himself  from  his  lair,  when  he 
shaketh  his  mane,  when  the  voice  of  his  roaring  is 
heard,  the  cattle  of  the  field  fly,  and  the  wild  beasts 
of  the  desert  hide  themselves,  for  he  is  very  terrible. 


The  lion  is  strong,  but  he    that  made  the  lion  i 
stronger  than  him:  His  anger  is  terrible.  He  coul 


s 
e  could 


11 

make  us  die  in  a  moment,  and  no  one  could  save  us 
from  his  hand. 

I  will  show  you  what  is  glorious.  The  sun  is  glo- 
rious. When  he  shineth  in  the  clear  sky,  when  he 
sitteth  on  his  bright  throne  in  the  heavens,  and  look  - 
eth  abroad  over  all  the  earth,  he  is  the  most  glorious 
and  excellent  object  the  eye  can  behold. 

The  sun  is  glorious,  but  he  that  made  the  sun  is 
more  glorious  than  him.  The  eye  beholdeth  him 
not,  for  his  brightness  is  more  dazzling  than  we 
could  bear.  He  seeth  in  all  dark  places;  by  night  as 
well  as  by  day;  and  the  light  of  his  countenance  is 
over  all  his  works. 

Who  is  this  great  name,  and  what  is  he  called, 
that  my  lips  may  praise  him? 

This  great  name  is  GOD.  He  made  all  things, 
but  he  is  himself  more  excellent  than  all  which  he 
hath  made;  they  are  beautiful,  but  he  is  beauty; 
they  are  strong,  but  he  is  strength;  they  are  perfect, 
but  he  is  perfection. 


12 


HYMN  V. 

The  glorious  sun  is  set  in  the  west;  the  night 
dews  fall;  and  the  air  which  was  sultry  becomes 
cool. 

The  flowers  fold  up  their  coloured  leaves:  they 
fold  themselves  up,  and  hang  their  heads  on  the 
slender  stalk. 

The"  chickens  are  gathered  under  the  hen,  and  are 
at  rest;  the  hen  herself  is  at  rest  also. 

The  little  birds  have  ceased  their  warbling;,  they 
are  asleep  on  the  boughs,  each  one  with  his  head  be- 
hind his  wing. 

There  is  no  murmur  of  bees  around  the  hive/or 
amongst  the  honied  woodbines:  they  have  done 
their  work,  and  lie  close  in  their  waxen  cells. 

The  sheep  rest  upon  their  soft  fleeces,  and  their 
loud  bleating  is  no  more  heard  amongst  the  hills. 

There  is  no  sound  of  a  number  of  voices,  or  of 
children  at  play,  or  the  trampling  of  busy  feet,  and 
of  people  hurrying  to  and  fro. 

The  smith's  hammer  is  not  heard  upon  the  anvil; 
nor  the  harsh  saw  of  the  carpenter. 


13 

All  men  arc  stretched  on  their  quiet  beds;  and 
the  child  sleeps  upon  the  breast  of  its  mother. 

Darkness  is  spread  over  the  skies,  and  darkness 
is  upon  the  ground;  every  eye  is  shut,  and  every 
hand  is  still. 

Who  taketh  care  of  all  people  when  they  are  sunk 
in  sleep;  when  they  cannot  defend  themselves,  nor 
see  if  danger  approached*? 

There  is  an  eye  that  never  sleepeth;  there  is  an 
eye  that  seeth  in  the  dark  night,  as  well  as  in  the 
bright  sunshine. 

When  there  is  no  light  of  the  sun,  nor  of  the  moon; 
when  there  is  no  lamp  in  the  house,  nor  any  little 
star  twinkling  through  the  thick  clouds;  that  eye 
seeth  every  where,  in  all  places,  and  watcheth  con- 
tinually over  all  the  families  of  the  earth. 

The  eye  that  sleepeth  not  is  God's:  his  hand  is 
always  stretched  out  over  us. 

He  made  sleep  to  refresh  us  when  we  are  weary; 
he  made  nighr,  that  we  might  sleep  in  quiet. 

As  the  mother  moveth  about  the  house  with  her 
finger  on  her  lips,  and  stilleth  every  liule  noise,  that 
her  infant  may  not  be  disturbed;  as  she  draweth  the 
curtains  around  its  bed,  and  shutteth  out  the  light 
from  its  tender  eyes;  so  God  draweth  the  curtains 
of  darkness  around  us:  so  he  maketh  all  things  to  be 
B 


14 

hushed  and  still,  that  his  large  family  may  sleep  ire 
peace. 

Labourers  spent  with  toil,  and  young  children,  and 
every  little  insect,  sleep  quietly,  for  God  vvatcheth 
over  you. 

You  may  sleep,  for  he  never  sleeps;  you  may  close 
your  eyes  in  safety,  for  his  eye  is  always  open  to 
protect  you. 

When  the  darkness  is  passed  away,  and  the  beams 
of  the  morning  sun  strike  through  your  eyelids, 
begin  the  day  with  praising  God,  who  hath  taken 
care  of  you  through  the  night. 

Flowers,  when  you  open  again,  spread  your  leaves, 
and  smell  sweet  to  his  praise. 

Birds,  when  you  awake,  warble  your  thanks 
amongst  the  green  boughs;  sing  to  him,  before  you 
sing  to  your  mates. 

Let  his  praise  be  in  our  hearts,  when  we  lie  down; 
let  his  praise  be  on  our  lips  when  we  awake. 


15 


HYMN  VI. 

Child  of  reason,  whence  comest  thou?  What 
hath  thine  eye  observed,  and  whither  has  thy  foot 
been  wandering? 

I  have  been  wandering  along  the  meadows,  in  the 
thick  grass.  The  cattle  were  feeding  around  me,  or 
reposing  in  the  cool  shade;  the  corn  sprung  up  under 
the  furrows;  the  poppy  and  the  hair-bell  grew  among 
the  wheat;  the  fields  were  bright  with  summer,  and 
glowing  with  beauty. 

Didst  thou  see  nothing  more?  Didst  thou  observe 
nothing  besides?  Return  again,  child  of  reason,  for 
there  are  greater  things  than  these.  God  was  among 
the  fields;  and  didst  thou  not  perceive  him?  His 
beauty  was  amongst  the  meadows;  his  smiles  enli- 
vened the  sunshine. 

I  have  walked  through  the  thick  forest;  the  wind 
whispered  among  the  trees;  the  brook  fell  from  the 
rocks  with  a  pleasant  murmur;  the  squirrel  leapt 
from  bough  to  bough,  and  the  birds  sung  to  each 
other  amongst  the  branches. 

Didst  thou  hear  nothing  but  the  murmur  of  the 
brook?  No  whispers  but  the  whispers  of  the  wind? 
Return  again,  child  of  reason,  for  there  are  greater 
things  than  these.  God  was  among  the  trees;  his 


16 

voice  sounded  in  the  murmur  of  the  water;  his  music 
warbled  in  the  shade;  and  didst  thou  not  attend? 

I  saw  the  moon  rising  behind  the  trees;  it  was 
like  a  lamp  of  gold:  the  stars  one  after  another  ap- 
peared in  the  clear  firmament.  Presently,  I  saw  black 
clouds  arise,  and  roll  towards  the  south;  the  light- 
ning streamed  in  thick  flashes  over  the  sky;  the  thun- 
der growled  at  a  distance;  it  came  nearer,  and  I  felt 
afraid,  for  it  was  loud  and  terrible. 

Did  thy  heart  feel  no  terror  but  of  the  thunderbolt? 
Was  there  nothing  bright  and  terrible,  but  the  light- 
ning? Return,  oh!  child  of  reason,  for  there  are 
greater  things  than  these:  God  was  in  the  storm,  and 
didst  thou  not  perceive  him?  His  terrors  were  abroad, 
and  did  not  thine  heart  acknowledge  him? 

God  is  in  every  place;  he  speaks  in  every  sound 
we  hear;  he  is  seen  in  all  that  our  eyes  behold;  no- 
thing, oh!  child  of  reason,  is  without  God:  let  God, 
therefore,  be  in  all  thy  thoughts. 


HYMN  VII. 

Come,  let  us  go  into  the  thick  shade,  for  it  is  the 
noon  of  the  day,  and  the  summer  sun  beats  hot 
upon  our  heads. 


17 

The  shade  is  pleasant  and  cool;  the  branches  meet 
above  our  heads,  and  shut  out  the  sun,  as  with  a 
green  curtain;  the  grass  is  soft  to  our  feet,  and  a 
clear  brook  washes  the  roots  of  the  trees. 

The  sloping  bank  is  covered  with  flowers;  let  us 
lie  down  upon  it;  let  us  throw  our  limbs  on  the  fresh 
grass,  and  sleep;  for  all  things  are  still,  and  we  are 
quite  alone. 

The  cattle  lie  down  to  sleep  in  the  cool  shade, 
but  we  can  do  what  is  better;  we  can  raise  our  voices 
to  heaven;  we  can  praise  the  great  God  who  made  us. 
He  made  the  warm  sun  and  the  cool  shade;  the  trees 
that  grow  upwards,  and  the  brooks  that  run  murmur- 
ing along.  All  the  things  that  we  see  are  his  work. 

Can  we  raise  our  voices  up  to  the  high  heaven? 
Can  we  make  him  hear  who  is  above  the  stars?  Yes; 
for  he  heareth  us  when  we  only  whisper;  when  we 
breathe  out  words  softly,  with  a  low  voice.  He  that 
fJleth  the  heavens  is  here  also. 

May  we  that  are  so  young  speak  to  him  that  al- 
ways was? 

May  we  that  can  hardly  speak  plain,  speak  to  God? 

We  that  are  so  young,  are  but  lately  made  alive; 
therefore,  we  should  not  forget  his  forming  hand, 
who  hath  made  us  alive.  We  that  cannot  speak 
plain,  should  lisp  out  praises  to  him  who  tcacheth 
us  how  to  speak,  and  hath  opened  our  dumb  lips. 
B  2 


18 

When  we  could  not  think  of  him,  he  thought  of 
us;  before  we  could  ask  him  to  bless  us,  he  had  al- 
ready given  us  many  blessings. 

He  fashioneth  our  tender  limbs,  and  causeth  them 
to  grow:  he  maketh  us  strong,  tall,  and  nimble. 

Every  day  we  are  more  active  than  the  former 
day;  therefore,  every  day  we  ought  to  praise  him 
better  than  the  former  day. 

The  buds  spread  into  leaves,  and  the  blossoms 
swell  to  fruit;  but  they  know  not  how  they  grow, 
nor  who  causeth  them  to  spring  up  from  the  bosom 
of  the  earth. 

Ask  them,  if  they  will  tell  thee;  bid  them  break 
forth  into  singing,  and  fill  the  air  with  pleasant 
sounds. 

They  smell  sweet;  they  look  beautiful;  but  ther 
are  quite  silent:  no  sound  is  in  the  still  air:  no  mur- 
mur of  voices  among  the  green  leaves. 

The  plants  and  trees  are  made  to  give  fruit  to  man; 
but  man  is  made  to  praise  God  who  made  him. 

We  love  to  praise  him,  because  he  loveth  to  bless 
us;  we  thank  him  for  life,  because  it  is  a  pleasant 
thing  to  be  alive. 

We  love  God,  who   hath  created  all  beings;  we 


19 

love  all  beings,  because   they  are   the  creatures  of 
God. 

We  cannot  be  good,  as  God  is  good  to  all  persons 
every  where;  but  we  can  rejoice,  that  every  where 
there  is  a  God  to  do  them  good. 

We  will  think  of  God  when  we  play,  and  when 
we  work;  when  we  walk  out,  and  when  we  come  in; 
when  we  sleep,  and  when  we  wake,  his  praise  shall 
dwell  continually  on  our  lips. 


HYMN  VIII. 

See  where  stands  the  cottage  of  the  labourer, 
covered  with  warm  thatch;  the  mother  is  spinning 
at  the  door;  the  young  children  sport  before  her  on 
the  grass:  the  elder  ones  learn  to  labour,  and  are 
obedient:  the  father  worketh  to  provide  them  food: 
either  he  tilleth  the  ground,  or  he  gathereth  corn, 
or  shaketh  the  ripe  apples  from  the  tree:  his  child- 
ren run  to  meet  him  when  he  cometh  home,  and 
his  wife  prepareth  the  wholesome  meal. 

The  father,  the  mother,  and  the  children  make  a 
family;  the  father  is  the  master  thereof.  If  the 
family  is  numerous,  and  the  grounds  large,  there 
are  servants  to  help  do  the  work:  all  these  dwell  in 
one  house;  they  sleep  beneath  one  roof;  they  eat  of 
the  same  bread:    their  hearts  are  bowed  together 


20 

night  and  morning  adoring  their  Creator:  they  are 
very  closely  united,  and  are  dearer  to  each  other 
than  any  strangers.  If  one  is  sick,  they  mourn  to- 
gether; and  if  one  is  happy,  they  rejoice  together. 

Many  houses  are  built  together;  many  families 
live  near  one  another;  they  meet  together  on  the 
green,  and  in  pleasant  walks,  and  to  buy  and  sell, 
and  in  the  house  of  justice;  and  they  gather  to- 
gether to  worship  the  great  God,  in  companies.  If 
one  is  poor,  his  neighbour  helpeth  him;  if  he  is  sad, 
he  comforteth  him.  This  is  a  village;  see  where  it 
stands,  inclosed  in  a  green  shade,  and  the  tall  spire 
peeps  above  the  trees.  If  there  be  very  many  houses, 
it  is  a  town — it  is  governed  by  a  magistrate. 

Many  towns,  and  a  large  extent  of  country,  make 
a  state  or  kingdom:  it  is  inclosed  by  mountains;  it 
is  divided  by  rivers;  it  is  washed  by  sea*;  the  inha- 
bitants thereof  are  countrymen;  they  speak  the 
same  language;  they  make  war  and  peace  together, 
a  king  is  the  ruler  thereof. 

Many  kingdoms,  and  countries  full  of  people, 
and  islands,  and  large  continents  and  different  cli- 
mates, make  up  this  whole  world — God  governeth 
it.  The  people  swarm  upon  the  face  of  it  like  ants 
upon  a  hillock:  some  are  black  with  the  hot  sun- 
some  cover  themselves  with  furs  against  the  sharp 
cold — some  drink  of  the  fruit  of  the  vine — some  of 
the  pleasant  milk  of  the  cocoa  nut — and  others 
quench  their  thirst  with  the  running  stream. 


21 

All  are  God's  family;  he  knoweth  every  one  of 
them,  as  a  shepherd  knoweth  his  flock:  they  pray  to 
him  in  different  languages,  but  he  understands  them 
all:  he  heareth  them  all;  he  taketh  care  of  all:  none 
are  so  great  that  he  cannot  punish  them;  none  are 
so  mean  that  he  will  not  protect  them. 

Negro  woman,  who  sittest  pining  in  captivity, 
and  weepest  over  thy  sick  child,  though  no  one 
seeth  thee,  God  seeth  thee;  though  no  one  pitieth 
thee,  God  pitieth  thee:  raise  thy  voice,  forlorn  and 
abandoned  one;  call  upon  him  from  amidst  thy 
bonds,  for  assuredly  he  will  hear  thee. 

Monarch,  that  rulest  over  an  hundred  states; 
whose  frown  is  terrible  as  death,  and  whose  armies 
cover  the  land;  boast  not  thyself  as  though  there 
was  none  above  thee:  God  is  above  thee— his  pow- 
erful arm  is  always  over  thee:  and  if  thou  doest  ill, 
assuredly  he  will  punish  thee. 

Nations  of  the  earth,  fear  the  Lord;  families  of 
men,  call  upon  the  name  of  your  God. 


HYMN  IX. 

Come,  let  us  walk  abroad:  let  us  talk  of  the  works 
of  God. 

Take  up  a  handful  of  sand:  number  the  grains  of 
it;  tell  them  one  by  one  into  thy  lap. 


22 

Try  if  thou  canst  count  the  blades  of  grass  in  the 
field,  or  the  leaves  on  the  trees. 

We  cannot  count  them,  they  are  innumerable: 
much  more  the  things  which  God  has  made. 

The  fir  groweth  on  the  high  mountain,  and  the 
grey  willow  bends  above  the  stream. 

The  thistle  is  armed  with  sharp  prickles;  the  mal- 
low is  soft  and  woolly. 

The  hop  layeth  hold  with  her  tendrils,  and  clasp- 
eth  the  tall  pole;  the  oak  hath  firm  root  in  the 
ground,  and  resisteth  the  winter  storm. 

The  daisy  enamelleth  the  meadows,  and  groweth 
beneath  the  foot  of  the  passenger;  the  tulip  asketh 
a  rich  soil  and  the  careful  hand  of  the  gardener. 

The  iris  and  the  reed  spring  up  in  the  marsh;  the 
rich  grass  covereth  the  meadows;  and  the  purple 
heath  flower  enliveneth  the  waste  ground. 

The  waterlilies  grow  beneath  the  stream;  their 
broad  leaves  float  on  the  water:  the  wall-flower 
takes  root  in  the  hard  stone,  and  spreads  its  fra- 
grance amongst  the  broken  ruins.  i 

Every  leaf  is  of  a  different  form:  every  plant 
hath  a  separate  inhabitant. 

Look  at  the  thorns  that  are  white  with  blossoms, 


23 

and  the  flowers  that  cover  the  fields,  and  the  plants 
that  are  trodden  in  the  green  path.  The  hand  of  man 
hath  not  planted  them;  the  sower  hath  not  scattered 
the  seeds  from  his  hands,  nor  the  gardener  digged  a 
place  for  them  with  his  spade. 

Some  grow  on  steep  rocks,  where  no  man  can 
climb;  in  shaking  bogs,  and  deep  forests,  and  desert 
islands;  they  spring  up  every  where,  and  cover  the 
the  bosom  of  the  whole  earth. 

Who  causeth  them  to  grow  every  where,  and 
blovveth  the  seeds  about  in  winds,  and  mixeth  them 
with  the  mould,  and  watereth  them  with  soft  rains, 
and  cherisheth  them  with  dews?  Who  fanneth  them 
with  the  pure  breath  of  heaven,  and  giveth  them 
colours,  and  smells,  and  spreadeth  out  their  thin 
transparent  leaves? 

How  doth  the  rose  draw  its  crimson  from  the 
dark  brown  earth,  or  the  lily  its  shining  white?  How 
can  a  small  seed  contain  a  plant?  How  doth  every 
plant  know  its  season  when  to  put  forth?  They  are 
marshalled  in  order:  each  one  knoweth  his  place, 
and  standeth  up  in  his  own  rank. 

The  snowdrop  and  the  primrose  make  haste  to 
lift  up  their  heads  above  the  ground.  When  the 
spring  cometh,  they  shoot  forth! — The  carnation 
waiteth  for  the  full  strength  of  the  year;  and  the 
hardy  laurustinus  cheereth  the  winter  months. 

Every  plant   produceth  its  like.    An  ear  of  corn 


£4 

will  not  grow  from  an  acorn;  nor  will  a  grape-stone 
produce  cherries:  but  every  one  springeth  from  its 
proper  seed. 

Who  preservef.h  them  alive  through  the  cold  win- 
ter, when  the  snow  is  on  the  ground,  and  the  sharp 
frost  bites  on  the  plain?  Who  saveth  a  small  seed, 
and  a  little  warmth  in  the  bosom  of  the  earth,  and 
causeth  them  to  spring  up  afresh,  and  sap  to  rise 
through  the  hard  fibres? 

The  trees  are  withered,  naked,  and  bare:  they 
are  like  dry  bones.  Who  breatheth  on  them  with 
the  breath  of  spring,  anci  th<  y  are  covered  with  ver- 
dure, and  green  leaves  sprout  from  the  dead  wood? 

Lo,  these  are  part  of  his  works:  and  a  little  por- 
tion of  his  wonders. 

There  is  little  need  that  I  should  tell  you  of  God, 
for  every  thing  speaks  of  him. 

Every  field  is  like  an  open  book;  every  painted 
flower  hath  a  lesson  written  on  its  leaves. 

Every  murmuring  brook  hath  a  tongue:  a  voice 
is  in  every  whispering  wind. 

They  all  speak  of  him  who  made  them:  they  all 
tell  us  he  is  very  good. 

We  cannot  see  God,  for  he  is  invisible;  but  we  can 
see  his  works,  and  worship  his  footsteps  in  the  green 
sod. 


25 

They  that  know  the  most,  will  praise  God  tfce 
best;  but  which  of  us  can  number  half  his  works? 


HYMN  X. 

Child  of  mortality,  whence  comest  thou?  Why 
is  thy  countenance  sad,  and  why  are  thine  eyes  red 
with  weeping? 

I  have  seen  the  rose  in  its  beauty;  it  spread  its 
leaves  to  the  morning  sun: — 1  returned,  it  was  dying 
upon  its  stalk:  the  grace  of  the  form  of  it  was  gone; 
its  loveliness  was  vanished  away;  the  leaves  thereof 
were  scattered  on  the  ground,  and  no  one  gathered 
them  again. 

A  stately  tree  grew  on  the  plain;  its  branches  were 
covered  with  verdure;  its  boughs  spread  wide,  and 
made  a  goodly  shadow;  the  trunk  was  like  a  strong 
pillar;  the  roots  were  like  crooked  fangs:- -I  returned, 
the  verdure  was  nipt  by  the  east  wind;  the  branches 
were  lopt  away  b\  the  axe;  the  worm  had  made  its 
way  into  the  trunk,  and  the  heart  thereof  was  de- 
cayed: it  mouldered  away,  and  fell  to  the  ground. 

I  have  seen  the  insects  sporting  in  the  sunshine, 
and  darting  along  the  stream;  their  wings  glittered 
with  gold  and  purple:  their  bodies  shone  like  the 
green  emerald;  they  were  more  numerous  than  I 
could  count;  their  motions  were  quicker  than   my 

C 


£6 

eye  could  glance:  I  returned,  they  were  brushed 
into  the  pool,  they  were  perishing  with  the  evening 
breeze:  the  swallow  had  devoured  them;  the  pike 
had  seized  them:  there  were  none  found  of  so  great 
a  multitude. 

I  have  seen  man  in  the  pride  of  his  strength;  his 
cheeks  glowed  with  beauty;  his  limbs  were  full  of 
activity;  he  walked,  he  ran,  he  rejoiced  in  that  he 
was  more  excellent  than  those:  I  returned,  he  lay 
stiff  and  cold  on  the  bare  ground;  his  feet  could  no 
longer  move,  nor  his  hands  stretch  themselves  out; 
his  life  was  departed  from  him;  and  the  breath  out 
of  his  nostrils. — Therefore  do  I  weep,  because  death 
is  in  the  world;  the  spoiler  is  among  the  works  of 
God:  all  that  is  made  must  be  destroyed;  all  that 
is  born  must  die.  Let  me  alone,  for  I  will  weep 
yet  longer. 


HYMN  XI. 

I  have  seen  the  flower  withering  on  the  stalk, 
and  its  bright  leaves  spread  on  the  ground: — I 
looked  again,  and  it  sprung  forth  afresh;  the  stem 
was  crowned  with  new  buds,  and  the  sweetness 
thereof  filled  the  air. 

I  have  seen  the  sun  set  in  the  west,  and  the 
shades  of  night  shut  in  the  wide  horizon:  there  was 
no  colour,  nor  shape,  nor  beauty,  nor  music;  gloom 


27 

and  darkness  brooded  around:    I  looked,  the  sun 
broke  forth  again  from   the   east,    and  gilded  the 
mountain  tops:   the  lark  rose  to  meet  him  from  her 
ow  nest,  and  the  shades  of  darkness  fled  away. 

I  have  seen  the  insect,  being  come  to  its  full  size, 
languish  and  refuse  to  eat.  It  spun  itself  into  a 
tomb,  and  was  shrouded  in  the  silken  cone;  it  lay 
without  feet  or  shape,  or  power  to  move.  I  looked 
again,  it  had  burst  its  tomb:  it  was  full  of  life,  and 
sailed  on  coloured  wings  through  the  soft  air;  it 
rejoiced  in  its  new  being. 

Thus  shall  it  be  with  thee,  O  man,  and  so  shall 
thy  life  be  renewed. 

Thy  body  shall  return  to  the  dust  from  whence  it 
came,  but  thy  soul  to  God  who  gave  it;  and  if  thou 
art  good,  thou  shalt  be  happy  evermore. 

Who  is  he  that  cometh  to  save  from  sin  and 
eternal  death? 

He  descendeth  on  a  fiery  cloud;  the  sound  of  a 
trumpet  goeth  before  him;  thousands  of  angels  are 
on  his  right  hand. 

It  is  Jesus,  the  Son  of  God;  the  Saviour  of  men; 
the  friend  of  the  good. 

He  cometh  in  the  glory  of  his  Father:  he  hath 
received  power  from  on  high. 


28 

Mourn  not,  therefore,  child  of  immortality!  for 
the  spoiler,  the  cru^l  spoiler,  that  laid  waste  the 
Woiks  of  God,  is  subdued:  Jesus  hath  conquered 
death:  child  of  immortality,  mourn  no  longer. 


HYMN  XII. 

The  rose  is  sweet,  but  it  is  surrounded  with 
thorns;  the  lily  of  the  valley  is  fragrant,  but  it 
springeth  up  among  brambles. 

The  spring  is  pleasant,  but  it  is  soon  past;  the 
summer  is  bright,  but  the  winter  destroy eth  the 
beauty  thereof. 

The  rainbow  is  very  glorious,  but  it  is  soon 
vanished  away:  life  is  good,  but  it  is  quickly 
swallowed  up  in  death. 

There  is  a  place  of  rest  for  the  righteous. 

In  that  land  there  is  an  eternal  spring,  and  light 
without  any  cloud. 

The  tree  of  life  groweth  in  the  midst  thereof, 
rivers  of  pleasure  are  there,  and  flowers  that  never 
fade, 


29 

Myriads  of  happy  spirits  are  there,  and  surround 
the  tl  I  with  a  perpetual  hymn. 

The  angels  with  their  golden  harps  sing  praises 
continually,  and  the  cherubim  fly  on  wings  of  love. 

This  country  is  heaven;  it  is  the  country  of  those 
that  are  good;  aricl  nothing  that  is  wicked  must 
inhabit  there. 

The  toad  must  not  spit  his  venom  among  turtle 
doves;  nor  the  poisonous  henbane  grow  amongst 
sweet  flowers. 

Neither  must  any  one  that  doeth  ill  enter  into 
that  good  land. 

This  earth  is  pleasant,  for  it  is  God's  earth,  and 
it  is  filled  with  many  delightful  things. 

But  that  country  is  far  better;  there,  we  shall  not 
grieve  any  more,  nor  be  sick  any  more,  nor  do 
wrong  any  more:  there,  the  cold  of  winter  shall  not 
wither  us,  nor  the  heats  of  summer  scorch  us. 

In  that  country,  there  are  no  wars  nor  quarrels, 
but  all  love  one  another  with  dear  love. 

When  our  parents  die,  and  are  laid  in  the  cold 
ground,  we  see  them  here  no  more:  but  there  we 
shall  embrace  them  again,  and  live  with  them,  and 
be  separated  no  more. 


30 

There  we  shall  meet  all  good  men,  whom  we 
read  of  in  holy  books. 

There  we  shall  see  Abraham,  the  called  of  God, 
the  father  of  the  faithful;  and  Moses,  after  his  long 
wanderings  in  the  Arabian  desert;  and  Elijah,  the 
prophet  of  God;  and  Daniel,  who  escaped  the  lion's 
den:  and  there  the  son  of  Jesse,*the  shepherd  king, 
the  sweet  singer  of  Israel. 

They  loved  God  on  earth;  but  in  that  country 
they  will  praise  him  better,  and  love  him  more. 

There  we  shall  see  Jesus,  who  is  gone  before  us 
to  that  happy  place;  and  there  we  shall  behold  the 
glory  of  the  high  God. 

We  cannot  see  him  here,  but  we  must  love  him 
^  here:  we  must  be  now  on  earth,  but  we  will  often 
think  on  heaven. 

That  happy  land  will  be  our  home,  if  we  live  in 
the  love  and  fear  of  the  Great  God  who  made  us, 
and  strive  to  do  all  the  good  we  can:  we  are  to  be 
here  but  for  a  little  while,  and  there  for  ever  ever, 
for  ages  of  eternal  years. 


